Researchers catch Arctic shark in Gulf of Mexico

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida State University researchers have made an unusual catch in the Gulf of Mexico: a cold-water shark typically found in Arctic waters.

Dean Grubbs of Florida State's coastal and marine research laboratory says it's the first documented catch of a Greenland shark in the Gulf.

Grubbs led a research mission to study deep sea marine life and examine the animals for toxins released during the 2010 oil spill. The scientists caught 31 species of bony fish and 13 shark species, including the 12-foot-long Greenland shark.

In a statement Thursday, Grubbs said that while Greenland sharks do travel south of the Arctic, no one knows how far.

The shark was caught on a baited line nearly 6,000 feet deep and 15 miles from the site of the Deepwater Horizon blowout.